love this program. modernity with restraint. musical placemetn of each element is what they do best. the straight line lift entry is very interesting. footwork can use some refining in edgework and posture. but like last season's ruled by secrecy....im in love.

Last season my favorite FD was D/W's (followed by V/M's Great Gig not far behind), but this season thus far it is definitely V/M's though for similar reasons. Lyrical, well interpreted, not-over acted, impressive technique made to look easy, amazing music choice. Everything thats lacking in D/W's phantom piece.

My, V/M were sleek...and that early in the season, too! Was very skeptical when they announced their FD music, as Umbrellas was in the same vein but IMO horribly bland. This was minimalistic and sophisticated, their style is a bit too lovey-dovey for me in general but they really owned it here. Great costumes as well. But Zueva is not kidding when she says they remind her of Gordeeva/Grinkov, is she? Both the Mahler piece and the Flamenco she used for G/G/Katia as well...

P/B: weird. but for some reason the theme of time really adds a sense of drama. their footwork improved. or maybe just their style just changed. lifts were a bit hectic. the motif of ticking is absolute genius in choreography. it just completes the whole essense of time and life.

I don't think V&M - or any future dancers/choreographers - need to honor how Mahler's piece was employed for a film.

No, they don't, but Mahler's music is essentially serious and melancholic, therefore Tessa's description of it as "colourful, it's really joyful" seems incongruous to me. The choreography is absolutely stunning, and they skated it beautifully, but only Scott's expression was pitched correctly to match the tone of the piece. It felt strange to watch Tessa smiling at the beginning. The facial expressions should interpret the depth of this serious classical symphony throughout. Umbrellas of Cherbourg-light-frothy-romantic-young-love (which I adored) it isn't . This is a far more mature piece of music and style of routine, and both their performances should match it. I hope they do. It will then be a masterpiece.

No, they don't, but Mahler's music is essentially serious and melancholic, therefore Tessa's description of it as "colourful, it's really joyful" seems incongruous to me. The choreography is absolutely stunning, and they skated it beautifully, but only Scott's expression was pitched correctly to match the tone of the piece. It felt strange to watch Tessa smiling at the beginning. The facial expressions should interpret the depth of this serious classical symphony throughout. Umbrellas of Cherbourg-light-frothy-romantic-young-love (which I adored) it isn't . This is a far more mature piece of music and style of routine, and both their performances should match it. I hope they do. It will then be a masterpiece.

Gustav Mahler wrote this particular movement as marriage proposal to, then, Alma Schindler. So, it is the love story of the Mahlers.
However, they had personality issues: Gustav was a super artistic, introvert and Alma was totally the opposite... liberal, out-going (especially with artists). Alma never seemed to understand Gustav... At least to me she did not have that kind of depth as a person (Let's give her a break... she was 19 years younger than him). From Gustav's point-of-view, Alma was some sort of fire that he could not quite handle... she left a huge burn mark in his heart, despite of which he could not help but loving her... She was his source of inspiration as well as absolute desperation.
Tessa's smile and her jolly description of the music reminds me so much of Alma Mahler and your uneasy feeling makes so much sense because the music is desperately compelling. It doesn't matter if her expression is too light for the music, because this irony seems the essence of Mahler's later music, especially in the symphonies.

I really love V/M`s new FD. I think the coreography is breathtaking and that it shows a higher of level of maturity than the Umbrellas of Cherbourg (which I also loved). I think this program will get them an olympic medal. It`s a difficult program to skate, but they make it look easy. I also love love love Tessa`s dress, makes her look so elegant.

Tessa's dresses rock the house this season, IMO, I love them all. They strike the perfect balance between maturity and freshness - the designer, IMO, is brilliant. When she did her hair up for Valse Triste there was a bit of teen playing dress-up about it, but now she looks like a genuinely mature young woman. Also, love the make-up she's wearing in all three programs.

Tessa's dresses rock the house this season, IMO, I love them all. They strike the perfect balance between maturity and freshness - the designer, IMO, is brilliant. When she did her hair up for Valse Triste there was a bit of teen playing dress-up about it, but now she looks like a genuinely mature young woman. Also, love the make-up she's wearing in all three programs.

Completely agree! She is just so classy and elegant. Usually when they skate, he always catches my attention more, but this season it's different. He's still amazing, but she's really stepped it up I find.

No, they don't, but Mahler's music is essentially serious and melancholic, therefore Tessa's description of it as "colourful, it's really joyful" seems incongruous to me. The choreography is absolutely stunning, and they skated it beautifully, but only Scott's expression was pitched correctly to match the tone of the piece. It felt strange to watch Tessa smiling at the beginning. The facial expressions should interpret the depth of this serious classical symphony throughout.

My thoughts exactly. I really don't see where she is hearing "colorful" and "joyful" in that piece. There is joy, yes, but it is mixed with a certain sorrow, bittersweet. If that is really Tessa's opinion of the music ten Marina Zueva must be reconsidering her music choice for them. I love, love, love the music, and the chreo is good, but If Tessa will keep smiling through the whole thing then the effect is ruined. I realize that it is the first time skating it this season, but the lifts looks sloppy, as they did last year. They need to work on those.